If you were forming a new political party...

[msmarieh]

No matter where you are in the world, I would guess that there is some dissatisfaction with the political parties that are out there.

Just out of curiosity (and I'm not looking to get too personal here - just general thoughts)... if you were going to form a brand new political party from the ground up, what kinds of things would you include in the basic platform?

There's no right or wrong answers. It is all just personal opinion.

[countrigal]

Fund raisers would not be allowed to be anything other than bake sales and such... no contributions taken from corporations, companies, individuals, etc who then feel entitled (or were promised) support on any specific item.  The political party would stand up as an individual entity and work for the betterment of all people, not just democrats/republicans/whatever.

Honesty would be required.  Therefore, promises would be few and far between.  Instead of promising to lower taxes, they would state that their goal will be to lower taxes where possible.  Basically, need to run on the idea of balancing the budget, in a timely manner, with realistic goals and expectations.

The main thing???  Government should be smaller, not larger.  Should have less controls in the private homes, leaving more governing to the states and less at the National level -- more oversight at the National, while the States get to do what makes sense in their area.  National government should not be involved in the individuals homes/lives... and my party would be based on that idea.

Without getting into personal issues... this is how my political party would start.  Of course, no one would run or vote for them, so it would also be a short lived one. 

[JessW]

Sorry, is that not the Monster Raving Loony Party?  That is pretty much why I signed up to them, except you missed out the free beer for all!

No, only joking.  Good ideas - I would certainly prefer that as a basis for any party, but would have to add that local candidates for local areas with local accountability should be at the top of the list - nobody representing an area that they knew nothing about (and cared even less) but for the fact that their Party said it was a safe seat!

I would also add that career politicians would be banned - if they want to get into politics as a career, they are obviously not considering the welbeing of their constituents!

Just my soapbox moment - hope I didn't offend anyone (really, truly hope that!)

[Jackie G]

Agree Jess, with your comment about career politicians.  After all, if you never do anything else, how can you possibly understand the issues your constituents raise?

I'd also like politicians to vote honestly the way their constituents (who elect them to vote on their behalf) want, rather than what their party wants.  The party whip is too powerful!

[msmarieh]

A friend once told me that in the early days of American Politics (back in the George Washington / Founding Father days), politicians were "regular" people (farmers, etc.) who would go, serve a term or two, and then go home and be forced to live with the laws they passed. There's much merit to that thought.

[countrigal]

Very good points Jess!  Term limitations are a MUST!  Like Jackie and msMarieh agreed -- if they spend all their careers in politics, then what do they really know/understand about what the rest of us in the 'real' world are dealing with.   They should be expected to actually WORK for a part of their lives before they can run for office, and then they are limited on how many terms that they can run.  I'm all for it if they want to go back to the 'real world' and work for a set number of years and then re-compete for a political office, but really need to ensure that they work in the real world for some time between stints in office.  Politics is not a career, it is a duty that is to be completed to the best of abililties and then return to the working class to deal with the outcomes of the decisions made.